Techniques for use with a calendar and messaging component

ABSTRACT

Techniques are provided for displaying electronic calendar information. A calendar entry corresponding to a date is selected. In response to selecting the calendar entry, the calendar entry is expanded by increasing a portion of a display area associated with the calendar entry. Other calendar entries are compressed by decreasing a portion of the display area associated with the other calendar entries.

BACKGROUND

Existing programs which perform electronic messaging and maintaining anelectronic calendar for appointments include a separate messaging modeand a separate calendar mode. One drawback with such existing programsis that the foregoing two modes may operate mutually exclusive of oneanother. Thus, a user may not be able to simultaneously view his/hercalendar while also being able to perform electronic messagingfunctionality. The user also changes between the two modes in order touse the different functionality associated with each mode. Additionally,such existing programs having the foregoing two modes do not provide auser interface with integrated information regarding electronic messagesand a user's calendar.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

Techniques are provided for displaying electronic calendar information.A selected calendar entry is expanded by increasing a portion of adisplay area associated with the calendar entry while other calendarentries are compressed. The electronic calendar information may beincluded in an display integrated with a message area for using messageswith an electronic calendar.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description of exemplaryembodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is an example of an embodiment illustrating an environment thatmay be utilized in connection with the techniques described herein;

FIG. 2 is an example of components that may be included in an embodimentof a device for use in connection with performing the techniquesdescribed herein;

FIG. 3 is an example of components that may be included in an embodimentof a communications server for use in connection with performing thetechniques described herein;

FIGS. 4-7 are examples illustrating different screen displays using thetechniques herein;

FIGS. 8, and 9A-9F are examples illustrating calendar displays using thetechniques herein; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of processing steps that may be performed in anembodiment in connection with the techniques described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrated is an example of a suitablecomputing environment in which embodiments utilizing the techniquesdescribed herein may be implemented. The computing environmentillustrated in FIG. 1 is only one example of a suitable computingenvironment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to thescope of use or functionality of the techniques described herein inconnection with an electronic calendar and messaging component andvarious user interface examples included herein. Those skilled in theart will appreciate that the techniques described herein may be suitablefor use with other general purpose and specialized purpose computingenvironments and configurations. Examples of well known computingsystems, environments, and/or configurations include, but are notlimited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptopdevices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems,programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, distributed computing environments that include any of theabove systems or devices, and the like.

The techniques set forth herein may be described in the general contextof computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executedby one or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modulesinclude routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, andthe like, that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstractdata types. Typically the functionality of the program modules may becombined or distributed as desired in various embodiments.

Included in FIG. 1 are a device 12, a network 14, and a communicationsserver 15. The device 12 may be, for example, a computer having adisplay or output device such as a personal or desk top computer. Thedevice 12 included in FIG. 1 is exemplary for purposes of illustratingthe techniques described herein in connection with an electroniccalendar and messaging component. Any device that has connectivity tothe server 15 and having the functionality described herein may beincluded in an embodiment. The device 12 may include a processor used toexecute code included in one or more program modules. Described in moredetail elsewhere herein are program modules that may be executed by thedevice 12 in connection with the techniques described herein. The device12 may operate in a networked environment and communicate with thecommunications server 15 and other computers not shown in FIG. 1. Asdescribed herein, the device 12 may be a personal computer. In otherembodiments, the functionality of device 12, or the device 12 itself,may be included in another component in accordance with a particularenvironment in which the device 12 is utilized. For example, oneenvironment in which the device 12 may be used is in a householdenvironment. The device 12 may be included, for example, in a homeappliance such as a refrigerator having a display area as an output forthe various interfaces described herein. It should also be noted thatthe techniques and functionality described herein associated with device12 may be integrated into the household appliance or other component foruse in a particular environment.

The communications server 15 may be used in connection with processingand routing communications to devices such as the device 12 connected tothe network 14. In one embodiment, information regarding communicationsmay be stored at the communications server and retrieved for use by thedevice 12, and possibly other devices, having connectivity to the server15.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although thedevice 12 is shown in the example as communicating in a networkedenvironment, the device 12 may communicate with other componentsutilizing different communication mediums. For example, the device 12may communicate with one or more components utilizing a networkconnection, and/or other type of link known in the art including, butnot limited to, the Internet, an intranet, or other wireless and/orhardwired connection(s).

It should also be noted that although the device 12 is illustrated ashaving connectivity to a communications server 15, the techniquesdescribed herein may be used in connection with a device 12 operatingstandalone without external connection to a server. For example, thedevice 12 may be included in a household appliance such as refrigeratorwith an output display area on the door of the refrigerator. Theappliance may not operate as part of network with a communicationsserver.

Referring now to FIG. 2, shown is an example of components that may beincluded in the device 12 as may be used in connection with performingthe various embodiments of the techniques described herein. The device12 may include one or more processing units 20, memory 22, a networkinterface unit 26, storage 30, one or more other communicationconnections 24, and a system bus 32 used to facilitate communicationsbetween the components of the device 12.

Depending on the configuration and type of user device 12, memory 22 maybe volatile (such as RAM), non-volatile (such as ROM, flash memory,etc.) or some combination of the two. Additionally, the device 12 mayalso have additional features/functionality. For example, the device 12may also include additional storage (removable and/or non-removable)including, but not limited to, USB devices, magnetic or optical disks,or tape. Such additional storage is illustrated in FIG. 2 by storage 30.The storage 30 of FIG. 2 may include one or more removable andnon-removable storage devices having associated computer-readable mediathat may be utilized by the device 12. The storage 30 in one embodimentmay be a mass-storage device with associated computer-readable mediaproviding non-volatile storage for the device 12. Although thedescription of computer-readable media as illustrated in this examplemay refer to a mass storage device, such as a hard disk or CD-ROM drive,it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that thecomputer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby the device12.

By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media maycomprise computer storage media and communication media. Memory 22, aswell as storage 30, are examples of computer storage media. Computerstorage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storageof information such as computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but isnot limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memorytechnology, CD-ROM, (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other medium which can be used to store the desired informationand which can accessed by device 12. Communication media typicallyembodies computer readable instructions, data structures, programmodules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier waveor other transport mechanism and includes any information deliverymedia. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one ormore of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encodeinformation in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media includes wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF,infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the any of the aboveshould also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

The device 12 may also contain communications connection(s) 24 thatallow the computer to communicate with other devices and components suchas, by way of example, input devices and output devices. Input devicesmay include, for example, a keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device,touch input device, etc. Output device(s) may include, for example, adisplay, speakers, printer, and the like. These and other devices arewell known in the art and need not be discussed at length here. The oneor more communications connection(s) 24 are an example of communicationmedia. In one embodiment, the device 12 may be connected to atouchscreen display as a user interface. As known in the art, a userselection may be made using a touchscreen device by touching a locationon the screen or display surface. The foregoing may be used, forexample, as an alternative to obtaining user input with another inputdevice such as a mouse, keyboard, and the like. The techniques hereinmay be used in an embodiment which utilizes a touchscreen as well asother input devices.

In one embodiment, the device 12 may operate in a networked environmentas illustrated in FIG. 1 using logical connections to remote computersthrough a network. The device 12 may connect to the network 14 of FIG. 1through a network interface unit 26 connected to bus 32. The networkinterface unit 26 may also be utilized in connection with other types ofnetworks and/or remote systems and components.

One or more program modules and/or data files may be included in storage30. During operation of the device 12, one or more of these elementsincluded in the storage 30 may also reside in a portion of memory 22,such as, for example, RAM for controlling the operation of the usercomputer 12. The example of FIG. 2 illustrates various componentsincluding an operating system 40, a communications module 42, one ormore application programs 46, and other components, inputs, and/oroutputs 48. In one embodiment, the application program 46 may be anelectronic calendar and messaging component. As will be describedherein, the electronic calendar and messaging component may includefunctionality for maintaining an electronic appointment calendar forusers as well as messaging functionality providing for electronicmessage exchanges between users. In one embodiment the electroniccalendar and messaging component included in the device 12 may utilize atouchsceen. The device 12 may be included in a household appliance, suchas a refrigerator, for use in facilitating communications betweenhousehold members and others outside of the household.

The operating system 40 may be any one of a variety of commerciallyavailable or proprietary operating systems. The operating system 40, forexample, may be loaded into memory in connection with controllingoperation of the user computer. One or more application programs 46 mayexecute in the device 12 in connection with performing user tasks andoperations.

The communications module 42 may be used in connection with processing auser's inputs and selection as may be manually input through a componentof the device 12, such as a using a touchscreen. The communicationsmodule 42 may also facilitate communications between components of thedevice 12, such as from the electronic calendar and messaging component,and the communication server 15. For example, the communications module42 may be used in connection with receiving information from thecommunications server 15 for display and use by the device 12.

It should be noted that any one of a variety of different techniques maybe used to communicate the information to/from the communicationsserver. For example, information input at the device 12 may be pushedfrom the device 12 to the communications server 15. It will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that other techniques, such aspulling information from the device 12, polling, and the like, may alsobe used.

Referring now to FIG. 3, shown is an example of components that may beincluded in the communications server 15 and used in connection withperforming the various embodiments of the techniques described herein.As illustrated in FIG. 3, an embodiment of the communications server 15may include components similar to those described in connection withFIG. 2. Additionally, the communications server 15 may include aregistration module 146 for registering one or more users of thecommunications server. In one embodiment, one or more users locatedwithin a household may be registered. In connection with techniquesherein, each user may have an electronic email account, a calendar, andthe like. Information for each of the foregoing may be maintained at thecommunications server 15 and transferred to the device 12. Similarly,information input at device 12 may be transferred to the communicationsserver 15 using the techniques herein. For example, the device 12 may beexecuting code of the electronic messaging and calendar component.Incoming communications for a user may be routed via the communicationsserver to the user and displayed, for example, on the output display ofdevice 12. Outgoing communications, for example, from a user of device12 may be routed to the communications server to one or more otherusers.

The registration module 146 may be used in connection with registrationof a user. As part of the registration process, the user may be assigneda user identifier, an associated email account, and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 4, shown is an example of a screen display thatmay be included on an output area of device 12. The example 200 includesa calendar display area 202, a message display area 204 and another area206 including various menu options and controls. The area 202 includes agraphical display of a calendar having corresponding entries for days ofthe indicated month. In this example, the calendar in 202 may becharacterized as being in a compressed view form. As will be explainedin more detail in following paragraphs and figures, the compressed viewmay be expanded into an expanded calendar view by selecting 230.

The area 204 includes one or more messages corresponding to messageevents. In one embodiment, the area 204 may include messages for one ormore users of the device 12. In one embodiment in which the device 12may be used by members of a household, each household member may beregistered user of the device. The various household members may beindicated in grid portion 222 by a separate grid location. The messagesincluded in 204 may be messages for a selected user indicated in 222.Selection of an element from 222 may cause portion 204 to be updatedwith additional messages in accordance with the selection. In thisexample, area 204 includes two messages 208 and 210. Additionally, area204 includes a text portion 212 which may not be included in a message.In one embodiment, a user may enter text on the screen by selecting thepen 214 from area 206. The user may also perform other operations suchas erase text using 216. Elements 218 and 220 may correspond to buttonsfor performing different operations. Element 218 may be selected tocreate a new message. Button 220 may be selected to identify a portionof the display 200 having text which is included in a message. Forexample, button 220 may be selected and a user may mark a portion of thescreen, such as indicated by the circular portion 212, including textwhich is copied into a newly created message.

The example 200 illustrates an interface in which a message may becreated in two ways. A message may be created via selection of button218 which causes display of a new message note interface as illustrated,for example, in FIG. 5. A message may also be created using textincluded on the screen, such as area 204, using the text selectionbutton 220 to select text from the display and include the text in a newmessage which is then displayed in area 204.

A message from area 204 may be associated with a particular date on thecalendar by selecting the message, dragging the selected message over anentry of the calendar in 202, and dropping the message in the entry ofcalendar. In response to dropping a message on a calendar entry, thecalendar entry may be highlighted indicating the calendar entry as thecurrently selected or active entry. The message may appear as a smallicon in the calendar entry. Additionally, the display may be updated tozoom in or expand the selected calendar entry into which the message isdropped. This zoom-in response feature is illustrated and described inmore detail in connection with FIG. 7. It should be noted that aparticular calendar entry may also be selected or made active usingother techniques besides the foregoing message drag and drop technique.For example, a calendar entry in region 202 may be selected using aninput device such as mouse, a touchscreen, and the like. In response toselection of a calendar entry either using the drag and drop techniqueor by direct selection using an input device, the selected calendarentry may be expanded as will be described in more detail in followingparagraphs and figures.

The calendar of 202 may operate in a first mode and only includecalendar information for selected users in accordance with which one ormore buttons of 222 are selected. In another mode, the calendar mayinclude calendar information for all users indicated by the buttons of222. However, if one or more buttons of 222 are selected at a point intime, the calendar information for the users corresponding to theselected buttons may be visually indicated or differentiated from othercalendar information. Such visual indication may be made, for example,by highlighting, bolding, and the like. In one embodiment, the calendarportion 202 may include calendar information, such as appointments,messages associated with dates, and the like.

Message area 204 may include messages for one or more selected users inaccordance with which one or more buttons of 222 are selected. In anembodiment, the area 204 may alternatively include messages for allusers indicated by the buttons of 222. However, if particular buttonsfrom 222 are selected, messages for those users corresponding to theselected buttons may be highlighted or otherwise visually indicated inarea 204.

In one embodiment, the example 200 may be displayed on a deviceutilizing a touchscreen. As such, a user may make a selection bytouching the screen in a particular location. Such selection may be madeas an alternative to using another input device, such as a mouse, pen,and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 5, shown is an example of a message in moredetail. When a new message is created, a new element such as in theshape of the rectangle of 250, may be drawn in area 204 of a screendisplay. A message may include a text portion 252, date/time information254, audio information 256, and a message recipient portion 258. The newmessage of 250 may be displayed in area 204 of FIG. 4, for example, inresponse to selecting button 218 of FIG. 4. The message text 252 as wellas other information of the new message may be entered. In oneembodiment, selection of button 220 of FIG. 4 may also result in thecreation of a new message 250 in which the selected text is included inthe message text portion 252. The audio information associated with 256may be a voice or other sound recording associated with the messageevent represented by 250. An embodiment may include a device 12 havingthe components which are capable of making a sound recording. The soundrecording may then be linked to the message 250 as represented by 256.

A message may be an electronic communication corresponding to any one ofa variety of different events or element such as, for example, a list, areminder, an invitation, and the like, in any one or more formsincluding text, audio, and/or image information.

It should be noted that an embodiment may include different informationfor a message than as described herein. For example, a message may alsoinclude image information.

What will now be described are various behaviors that may be associatedwith the calendar portion 202 in connection with techniques herein whilemanaging messages and a calendar.

Referring now to FIG. 6, shown is an example of a screen that may bedisplayed in response to selection of the button 230 of FIG. 4 causingthe calendar portion 202 to be expanded. The example 300 includes anexpanded calendar view 302 and an area 304 including various menuoptions and controls. In the example 300, it should be noted that themessage area is included in a compressed view form 310. This is incontrast, for example, to the message display area 204 of FIG. 4 whichmay be characterized as an expanded view of the message area. A user mayselect to view the calendar portion 302 in the compressed view byselecting button 320.

In connection with techniques described herein, when the calendarportion is in an expanded view form as illustrated in FIG. 6, themessage area may be in a compressed view form as in 310. When thecalendar portion is in a compressed view form as previously illustratedin FIG. 4, the message area may be in an expanded view form.

When the calendar portion 302 is in an expanded view form, an entry ofthe calendar of 302 may be selected in one of the two ways as previouslydescribed in connection with the compressed view form of the calendar. Acalendar entry may be selected using a first drag and drop technique fordragging and dropping a message from 310 onto a selected calendar entry.Using a second technique, a selection of the calendar entry may be made,for example, using a touchscreen or other input device to directlyselect the corresponding portion of a screen for the calendar entry.Using either of the foregoing techniques from either the expandedcalendar view form of FIG. 6 or the compressed calendar view form ofFIG. 4, processing is performed to zoom-in or expand a view for theselected calendar entry as will be illustrated in FIG. 7.

Referring now to FIG. 7, shown is an example of a screen that may bedisplayed in connection with expanding a view for the selected calendarentry. The example 400 may be displayed in response to selection of aparticular calendar entry as described above. In this example, thecalendar entry selected is November 17^(th). The calendar entry, forwhich expanded view processing is performed as illustrated in FIG. 7,may be selected either by dragging and dropping a message on thecalendar entry, directly selecting the entry using an input device, aswell as other techniques. The selection of a calendar entry may beperformed when the calendar is in either the expanded of compressed viewform.

In response to selecting a calendar entry, processing is performed toprovide an expanded or zoom-in view of the calendar entry. In oneembodiment, the selected calendar entry is expanded and the otherremaining calendar entries for the month are compressed. An embodimentmay perform compression of other calendar entries in the vertical andhorizontal directions (e.g., above, below, to the left of, and to theright of) with respect to the selected calendar entry in any order. Forexample, an embodiment may first compress calendar entries above aselected entry and expand the selected entry by an amount in the upwarddirection. In a second processing step, calendar entries below theselected calendar entry may be compressed and the selected entry may beexpanded by an amount in the downward direction. Similarly, calendarentries to the left and to the right of the selected calendar entry maybe compressed, respectively, in a third processing step and a fourthprocessing step. The display may be updated as each processing step isperformed. An embodiment may also perform the foregoing steps in adifferent sequential ordering. An embodiment may also perform two ormore of the foregoing processing steps at a time, or otherwise updatethe display after performing two or more of the foregoing processingsteps.

The compression of calendar entries in a particular direction (e.g.,above, below, to the left of, or to the right of) with respect to theselected calendar entry may be performed by compressing all rows orcolumns of the particular direction at once, processing each row orcolumn sequentially, or otherwise compressing multiple rows or columnsat a time. For example, with respect to the selected entry 402, November17^(th), two rows of entries above are compressed, four columns to theright are compressed, two rows below are compressed, and two columns tothe left are compressed. For each of the four directions, all rows orcolumns of entries of one direction may be compressed at the same time,one row or column at a time, or in some other grouping. For example,with respect to the four columns to the right of 402, all four columnsof entries may be compressed at once and the display accordinglyupdated. In a variation of the foregoing, each of the four columns maybe compressed one at a time beginning with the rightmost column.

These and other processing variations will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art in order to obtain the results illustrated in FIG. 7providing an expanded view of a selected calendar entry.

As described in connection with the techniques herein, in response toselection of a calendar entry, an expanded view of the calendar entry isdisplayed. The expansion of the calendar entry for the selected datecauses compression of other remaining calendar entries corresponding toother dates. In one embodiment, these remaining calendar entries may becompressed in the horizontal and/or vertical directions so that entriesof a same row have a same height or resulting vertical spacing andentries of a same column have a width or resulting horizontal spacing.

Referring now to FIG. 8, shown is an example of how messages may appearin the expanded calendar entry in one embodiment. The example 450includes two messages denoted by element 452. These messages may havebeen previously associated with the selected calendar entry of November17^(th), for example, by dragging and dropping the messages from themessage area into the November 17^(th) entry. Each of the messages mayhave a corresponding icon included in the associated calendar entry asillustrated by 452. It should be noted that FIGS. 8 and 9A-9F includeonly the calendar portion of a display for purposes of illustration ofthe techniques herein.

In connection with a selected calendar entry, a display may be updatedby expanding and compressing calendar entries in accordance with one oftwo modes of granularity—per calendar entry or within a calendar entry.In the first mode, per calendar entry, the display may be updated toinclude the expanded view for a selected calendar entry when a newcalendar entry is selected. In this first mode, screen selections ormovement within a single currently selected calendar entry do not causefurther expansion and/or compression of calendar entries. Subsequentexpansion and compression is performed only in response to a change incalendar entry. In contrast, in the second latter mode, screenselections or movement within a currently selected calendar entry resultin expansion and/or compression of calendar entries. In this secondmode, a finer granularity is used in connection with controlling theexpansion and compression of displayed calendar entries. In response toscreen position changes within a currently selected calendar entry whenin the second granularity mode, the display may be updated to expandand/or compress one or more neighboring calendar entries. As describedin detail below, the effect on neighboring calendar entries may bedetermined in accordance with the relative change in position in thehorizontal and/or vertical directions within a selected calendar entry.

Referring now to FIG. 9A, shown is an example of an expanded view forthe calendar entry of November 17^(th). In the example 500, let X1represent a current screen position. Subsequently, a user updates acurrent screen position, such as using a touchscreen display, by slidingalong the horizontal line to the point denoted by X2. In connection withthe techniques herein when in the second mode of granularity forupdating the display in response to movements within a selected calendarentry, as movement advances from X1 to X2, the calendar entry forNovember 17^(th) is compressed while the entry for November 18^(th)accordingly expands. The amount of compression and expansion of theforegoing entries may be in accordance with the amount of positionalchange from X1 to X2. In one embodiment, the entry for November 17^(th)may be maximally expanded when in position X1. Movement within the entryfor November 17^(th) to any other position may result in compression ofNovember 17^(th) entry and expansion of one or more neighboring entriesin accordance with the direction and amount of movement. Movement alonga horizontal axis toward a neighboring entry may result in expansion ofthe neighboring entry while accordingly compressing the currentlyselected entry of November 17^(th). Movement along a vertical axistoward a neighboring entry may also similarly result in expansion of theneighboring entry while the currently selected entry is accordinglycompressed. Movement in a position and direction within one of the fourquadrants (A1-A4) rather than in a strictly horizontal or verticaldirection along one of the axis illustrated in 500 may result inexpansion of more than one neighboring calendar entry touching theeffected quadrant boundary. For example, in one embodiment, movementfrom X1 to a new position in the A2 quadrant may cause expansion ofentries for November 10^(th) and 18^(th) in accordance with the newposition.

Referring now to FIG. 9B, the example 550 illustrates an updated screendisplay in response to movement from X1 to X2 of FIG. 9A. Element 552illustrates the boundaries associated with calendar entries when thecurrent position within the November 17^(th) entry is X1. As the currentposition advances from X1 to X2, the calendar entry for November 18^(th)is expanded as illustrated by the arrow. In one embodiment, when inposition X2, the calendar entry November 18^(th) may be expanded asillustrated by 554.

In connection with FIG. 9B, it should be noted that an embodiment mayalso choose to further extend line 554 to impact calendar entriesbordering on the selected calendar entry of November 17. For example, asa variation to that illustrated in FIG. 9B, an embodiment may extendline 554 to also apply to the entry above and below the November 17^(th)entry causing a repartitioning of calendar entries for November 10^(th)and 11^(th), and November 24^(th) and 25^(th) as well. In a furthervariation, an embodiment may extend line 554 so as to also apply to allcalendar entries in the Tuesday/Wednesday columns (e.g., causingrepartitioning of November 3^(rd)/4^(th), 10^(th)/11^(th)24^(th)/25^(th), and 31^(st)).

Referring now to FIG. 9C, shown is an example of an expanded view forthe calendar entry of November 17^(th). In the example 600, let X1represent a current screen position. Subsequently, a user updates acurrent screen position, such as using a touchscreen display, by slidingdownward along the vertical line to the point denoted by X2. Inconnection with the techniques herein when in the second mode ofgranularity for updating the display in response to movements within aselected calendar entry, as movement advances from X1 to X2, thecalendar entry for November 17^(th) is compressed while the entry forNovember 24^(th) accordingly expands. The amount of compression andexpansion of the foregoing entries may be in accordance with the amountof positional change from X1 to X2.

Referring now to FIG. 9D, the example 650 illustrates an updated screendisplay in response to movement from X1 to X2 of FIG. 9C. Element 652illustrates the boundaries associated with calendar entries when thecurrent position within the November 17^(th) entry is X1. As the currentposition advances from X1 to X2, the calendar entry for November 24^(th)is expanded as illustrated by the arrow. In one embodiment, when inposition X2, the calendar entry November 24^(th) may be expanded asillustrated by 654.

In connection with FIG. 9D, it should be noted that an embodiment mayalso choose to further extend line 654 to impact calendar entriesbordering on the selected calendar entry of November 17. For example, asa variation to that illustrated in FIG. 9D, an embodiment may extendline 654 to also apply to the entries to the left and right of theNovember 17^(th) entry causing a repartitioning of calendar entries forNovember 16^(th) and 23^(rd), and November 18^(th) and 25^(th) as well.In a further variation, an embodiment may extend line 654 so as to alsoapply to all calendar entries in the same row as November 17^(th) (e.g.,causing repartitioning of November 15^(th)/22^(nd) 16^(th)/23^(rd),18^(th)/25^(th), 19^(th)/26^(th), 20^(th)/27^(th), and 21^(st)/28^(th)).

Referring now to FIG. 9E, shown is an example of an expanded view forthe calendar entry of November 17^(th). In the example 700, let X1represent a current screen position. Subsequently, a user updates acurrent screen position, such as using a touchscreen display, by slidingat an angle into the lower right quadrant toward the point denoted byX2. In connection with the techniques herein when in the second mode ofgranularity for updating the display in response to movements within aselected calendar entry, as movement advances from X1 to X2, thecalendar entry for November 17^(th) is compressed in both the horizontaland vertical directions while the entries for November 18^(th) and24^(th) accordingly expand. The amount of compression and expansion ofthe foregoing entries for the 18^(th) and 24^(th) may be in accordancewith the amount of positional change from X1 to X2.

Referring now to FIG. 9F, the example 750 illustrates an updated screendisplay in response to movement from X1 to X2 of FIG. 9E. Elements 752 aand 754 a illustrate the boundaries associated with calendar entrieswhen the current position within the November 17^(th) entry is X1. Asthe current position advances from X1 to X2, the calendar entries forNovember 18^(th) and 24^(th) are expanded as the entry for November17^(th) is accordingly compressed. In one embodiment, when in positionX2, the calendar entries may be delineated as represented by lines 752 band 754 b. As the current position is further moved from X2 to X3, thecalendar entries may be delineated as represented by 754 c and 752 ccausing further expansion of entries for November 18^(th) and 24^(th)and further compression of the entry for November 17^(th).

In connection with FIG. 9F in a manner similar to as described above inconnection with FIGS. 9B and 9D, it should be noted that an embodimentmay also choose to further extend repartitioning of calendar entries toimpact calendar entries bordering on the selected calendar entry ofNovember 17. For example, as a variation to that illustrated in FIG. 9Fin connection with movement to position X2, an embodiment may extendlines 754 b and 752 b to also apply to the entries above, below, to theleft and to the right of the November 17^(th) entry causing arepartitioning of calendar entries, respectively, for November10^(th/)11^(th), November 24^(th)/25^(th) 16^(th)/23^(rd), and18^(th)/25^(th) as well. In a further variation, an embodiment mayextend line 754 b and 752 b so as to also apply to all calendar entriesin the Tuesday/Wednesday columns(e.g., causing repartitioning ofNovember 3^(rd)/4^(th), 10^(th)/11^(th), 24^(th)/25^(th), and 31^(st)),and in the same row as November 17^(th) (e.g., causing repartitioning ofNovember 15^(th)/22^(nd) 16^(th)/23^(rd), 18^(th)/25^(th),19^(th)/26^(th), 20^(th)/27^(th), and 21^(st)/28^(th)).

The foregoing illustrates exemplary compression and expansion rates thatmay be used in one embodiment. It should be noted that other rates maybe selected for use in an embodiment. The amount or rate of expansionand/or compression of entries may be at a uniform rate throughout eachcalendar entry, or may be at varying rates dependent on location withina calendar entry. In an embodiment, each calendar entry may have aminimal size below which an entry is not compressed. It will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that the rate ofcompression/expansion may be made determined in accordance with thechange in location within a selected calendar entry. The change inlocation may be determined by tracking a current screen location incomparison to a previous screen location. The corresponding calendarentry may be determined by tracking which screen portions correspond ormap to which calendar entries.

If a user selects a new calendar entry, the processing described hereinmay be performed with respect to the new calendar entry. In oneembodiment, when a new calendar entry is initially selected, theexpanded view as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 7 may result. Thecurrent position within the selected entry may be initially set at thepoint indicated X1.

Referring now to FIG. 10, shown is an example of a flowchart ofprocessing steps that may be performed in connection with an embodimentutilizing the techniques herein. The processing steps of 800 summarizeprocessing just described in connection with preceding figures. At step802, a calendar entry is selected. As described herein, a calendar entrymay be designated by directly selecting the date for the calendar entrywhen the calendar is in expanded or compressed view. Alternatively, acalendar entry may be selected by dragging and dropping a message on thecalendar entry.

At step 804, in response to selecting the calendar entry of step 802,the screen is updated by expanding the calendar entry. The initialexpansion of a selected calendar entry is illustrated, for example, inconnection with FIG. 7.

At step 806, an updated screen location selection is detected. Thisselection may be made, for example, by a user making a selection of ascreen location using touchscreen or other input device. The selectionof a screen location, as well as other user selections, may be reportedas an event to the calendar and messaging component described elsewhereherein. In response, processing may be performed to update the screen.At step 808, a determination may be made as to whether the updatedscreen location selection is within the same calendar entry. If not,control proceeds to step 812 for processing for a new calendar entry.Control proceeds to step 804 to expand the newly selected calendarentry. If step 808 evaluates to yes, then control proceeds to step 810to update the screen display in accordance with the granularity mode andupdated screen location. As described elsewhere herein, if the currentgranularity mode is per entry, then there is no processing performedwith respect to expansion and/or compression of the current entry andone or more other neighboring entries. If the granularity mode is withina calendar entry, the display is updated in response to movements withina currently selected calendar entry causing expansion and/or compressionof the current entry and any appropriate neighboring entries.

It should be noted that although the techniques for expansion of aselected calendar entry are illustrated herein as integrated withmessaging, an embodiment may include the calendar information, such asscheduled appointments, without messaging. For example, an embodimentmay include a component which includes only appointment schedulingfunctionality as may be associated with an electronic calendar program.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

1. A method for displaying electronic calendar information comprising:selecting a calendar entry corresponding to a date; and in response tosaid selecting, expanding said calendar entry by increasing a portion ofa display area associated with said calendar entry and compressing othercalendar entries by decreasing a portion of the display area associatedwith said other calendar entries.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein saidcalendar entry is expanded by increasing a size of the calendar entry inall vertical and horizontal directions.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising: selecting the calendar entry by placing a message onthe calendar entry.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:selecting the calendar entry by selecting, using an input device, apoint on the display area associated with the calendar entry.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said selecting is performed using atouchscreen device.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the calendar entryis included in a calendar displayed in the display area, the calendarbeing in a compressed view form.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein thedisplay area includes a message area and when the calendar is in thecompressed view form, the message area is in an expanded view form. 8.The method of claim 1, wherein the calendar entry is included in acalendar displayed in the display area, the calendar being in anexpanded view form.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the display areaincludes a message area and when the calendar is in the expanded viewform, the message area is in a compressed view form.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the other calendar entries are compressed so thatcalendar entries included in a same row have a same height and can varyin width, and calendar entries included in a same column have a samewidth and can vary in height.
 11. The method of claim 1, whereinmovement within the calendar entry causes the display area to be updatedin accordance with a granularity mode setting.
 12. The method of claim11, wherein a first granularity mode setting does not provide formodifying sizes of calendar entries when movement is within the calendarentry.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein a second granularity modesetting provides for modifying sizes of calendar entries when movementis with the calendar entry.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein one ormore neighboring calendar entries of said calendar entry are modified insize in accordance with the movement in horizontal and verticaldirections.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein movement in a horizontalor vertical direction toward a neighboring entry causes expansion of theneighboring entry and compression of the calendar entry.
 16. The methodof claim 1, wherein said display area is included in a householdappliance.
 17. A computer readable medium comprising code stored thereonfor displaying electronic calendar information, the computer readablemedium comprising code for: selecting a calendar entry corresponding toa date of a month from a monthly calendar included in a display area;and in response to said selecting, expanding a portion of the displayarea associated with the calendar entry and accordingly decreasing otherportions of the display area associated with other calendar entries inthe monthly calendar.
 18. The computer readable medium of claim 17,wherein said calendar entry is expanded by increasing the portion of thedisplay area associated with the calendar entry in vertical andhorizontal directions.
 19. A method for displaying electronic calendarinformation and message information comprising: displaying calendarinformation in a first area of a display; displaying message informationin a second area of the display; selecting a calendar entrycorresponding to a date of a month from a monthly calendar included inthe first area; and in response to said selecting, expanding a portionof the first area associated with the calendar entry and accordinglydecreasing other portions of the first area associated with othercalendar entries in the monthly calendar.
 20. The method of claim 19,wherein when one of the calendar information and the message informationis in an expanded view form, the other of the calendar information andthe message information is in a compressed view form.